Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey will feature in an episode of Take a Hike on BBC Two tonight.

In the series, five hikers go head-to-head to find Britain’s best walks. Taking it in turns to lead, they are judged on their route, picnic, views and fun.

Tonight’s programme shows 73-year-old retired psychiatric nurse Edwin lead the other walkers on a nine kilometre hike between the two National Trust properties in the Harrogate district.

Brimham Rocks, near Pateley Bridge, combines heather moorland and unusually shaped giant rock formations created by an immense river 100 million years.

Brimham Rocks

Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, is one of the largest and best preserved Cistercian monasteries in England.

A trust spokeswoman said:

“There were certainly lots of giggles while filming the episode as the group were surprised with an activity for the brave to start their time at Brimham – you’ll have to tune in to see what they got up to.

“It really is a lovely programme and as always, will be a great opportunity to show off the beauty and fun on offer at both properties in the wonderful Harrogate district.”

The programme will be broadcast at 6.30pm and will be available to watch afterwards here.

Read more:

• Photo of the Week: Tree breaks through the mist at Brimham Rocks
• National Trust plans major £3.6m building project at Fountains Abbey

Rescuers came to the aid of an 11-year-old boy who got stuck at Brimham Rocks yesterday.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was called to the National Trust-owned site near Pateley Bridge by North Yorkshire Police.

The boy had reached the top of Castle Rocks but then felt unable to get down safely.

Nine members of the volunteer-run association attended the incident.

Its website said:

“A small team was deployed, rigging a rope and lowering him safely and uninjured to ground level, whereupon he was reunited with his grandmother.”

The association has attended several similar incidents at Brimham Rocks this year.

Read more:

• Boy, 13, rescued at Brimham Rocks
• Photo of the Week: Tree breaks through the mist at Brimham Rocks
• Brimham Rocks activity farm closes

With its reservoirs, hills and villages, there are few more beautiful places than Nidderdale. And it has rarely looked better than in recent days, when ice and light snow added to its allure.

Talented local photographers, who posted a series of images on the We Love Nidderdale UK Facebook page, have agreed to share some of them with us.

Several are by Dave Benson, who lives in Summerbridge and gets to see Nidderdale through his jobs as a self-employed gardener and newspaper deliverer.

We have also included images by Heather Middleton, Matt Bibbings and Jamie Clark.

If you have stunning images of the Harrogate district, please send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

The view from Wath. Pic: David Benson

Sunrise over Brimham Rocks. Pic: David Benson

A wet Lofthouse. Pic by David Benson

Brimham Rocks: Pic by Helen Middleton

A cloud inversion: Pic by Matt Bibbings

Hoar frost on Top Wath Road: Pic by Jamie Clark

Gouthwaite reservoir. Pic by David Benson

The Stray Ferret has launched our new Photo of the Week feature to highlight the beauty of the Harrogate district captured by talented local photographers.

Send your photos to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to feature here. We are interested in amateur and professional pictures.

An exhibition of original art by the comedian Vic Reeves is on display at Red House Originals Gallery in Harrogate.

The exhibition, called Yorkshire Rocks and Dinghy Fights, includes several paintings of Brimham Rocks.

Leeds-born Mr Reeves, a keen artist who exhibits under his real name Jim Moir, is a frequent visitor to the National Trust site near Pateley Bridge.

The exhibition, featuring work priced up to £12,500, also includes paintings that show his love of birds and shoes, as well as art highlighting his surreal sense of humour.

Mr Reeves attended the opening of the exhibition, which was extended by a week due to demand. Saturday will be the last day.

Mr Reeves at the opening night. Pic by Robin Clewley.

Dave McTague, who is responsible for marketing at the gallery, said:

“We’ve had a phenomenal response to it. We’ve had people travelling from all over the country.”

Red House Originals Gallery, on Cheltenham Mount, is owned by Richard McTague, nephew of Paul McTague, who owns the McTague of Harrogate gallery next door.

While McTague of Harrogate features traditional art, Red House focuses on pop art, modern art and contemporary work, often showcasing Yorkshire artists.

Dave McTague in front of three of the Brimham Rocks exhibits.

Opening night of the Vic Reeves exhibition.

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Brimham Rocks Activity Farm closed over the weekend.

The visitor attraction, which was part of a working farm, was popular with families who were able to pet animals such as goats, donkeys and pigs.

There was also a cafe and indoor play area for children.

It was a mile away from the National Trust site Brimham Rocks.

But a post on its Facebook page last week said that last weekend would be its last.

The post said:

“It is with heavy heart that we have taken the decision to close the doors from the 4th September.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff & customers for their support over the years!”

The post added that the farm will still be continuing and taking bookings for mobile petting farms, hog roasts and reindeer hire. 

The Stray Ferret called the farm for more details but was told the owners did not wish to comment.

Read more:

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Rescuers came to the aid of a teenage boy who got stuck at Brimham Rocks at the weekend.

Volunteers from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association were summoned to the National Trust-owned site at about 2pm on Saturday.

A 13-year-old boy had climbed to the top of one of the rocks but then felt unable to navigate his way down safely.

The rescue association’s website said:

“Local members were able to calm the casualty until team vehicles arrived and a safe means of lowering the casualty back to the ground was rigged and a successful rescue was carried out.”

Derek Hammond, a volunteer for the rescue association, told the Stray Ferret it was a simple rescue and the boy did the right thing by seeking help rather than putting himself at risk of harm by trying to get down when he didn’t feel safe.

Eleven volunteers took part in the incident near Pateley Bridge, which was the group’s first call-out for two weeks.

While they were dealing with it they then received a second call, alerting them to concerns that a cave diver at Goyden Pot, near Lofthouse in Nidderdale, had not returned at the expected time.

The rescue association’s website said:

“As the controllers were working to call in specialist divers for this incident news was received that she had returned safely so the team stood down and diverted attention to an ongoing incident at Brimham Rocks.”

Read more:

• Boy, 11, rescued after falling at Brimham Rocks
• New trail running group formed in Pateley Bridge

As the cost of living continues to rise, the thought of six weeks of trying to keep the children entertained on a tight budget can be daunting.

Fortunately you don’t always have to spend a fortune to have a fun day out.

We have put together a selection of free activities to enjoy with your family across the Harrogate district.

Pop-up parties – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

The Jubilee activities in Harrogate and Ripon were hugely enjoyed, so the summer programme organised by Harrogate Borough Council is sure to be popular.

There will be a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos at three of the district’s picturesque parks and gardens.

Valley Gardens, Harrogate on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 between 11am and 4pm

• 11am – Juggling/circus tricks show
• 11.45am – Magic show
• 12.30pm – Character mini disco
• 1.30pm – Juggling/circus tricks show
• 2.15pm – Magic show
• 3pm – Character mini disco

Knaresborough Castle on Friday, August 26 between 11am and 4pm

• 11am – Bubble circus tricks show
• 11.45am – Magic show
• 12.30pm – Character mini disco
• 1.30pm – Juggling/circus tricks show
• 2.15pm – Magic show

• 3pm – Character mini disco

Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday, August 27 between 11am and 3pm

• 11am – Circus tricks workshop
• 11.45am – Magic show
• 12.30pm – Character mini disco
• 1.30pm – Circus tricks workshop
• 2.15pm – Magic show
• 3pm – Character mini disco

The venues are also all worth visiting for a free day out, even if you are unable to make the parties.

You could enjoy a picnic and play in the Valley Gardens, plus a walk up to the Pinewoods. You could grab an ice cream and head to Knaresborough Castle, before wandering down the steps to the riverside. Or you could play a game of crazy golf in Ripon Spa Gardens.

Read more:

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A day out at Brimham Rocks, Nidderdale

If you live in the district, chances are you have already visited the unusual moorland rock formations at Brimham Rocks.

However, the summer holidays are the perfect excuse to head up there again with a picnic.

If you haven’t been, you’re in for a treat as it really is nature’s playground for the whole family. Just make sure the kids are wearing decent shoes so they can climb the rocks. Also taking a photo of your children pretending to either push a huge boulder over or hold one up is essential.

The views over Nidderdale are stunning too.

There’s no admission charge at Brimham Rocks. Parking is free for National Trust members.

For non-National Trust members, car parking charges are  £6 for up to four hours and £8 thereafter.

Library events – district wide

On a rainy day, nothing beats a free trip to the library, where you can lose yourself in all the amazing children’s books on offer.

A Summer Reading Challenge is taking place to encourage your children to pick up a book, which isn’t always easy in the holidays.

Children aged four to 11 years just need to call in at their local library to sign up.

Within a stone’s throw of Brimham Rocks there’s a newly-created oasis of calm and quiet reflection.

The community herb and vegetable garden at the Acorn Wellness Retreat in Hartwith, has been designed to add to its holistic, healing approach and aim of improving people’s health and wellbeing with a diet of wholesome food.

As well as providing a ready supply of fresh produce used as ingredients in nutrition-rich dishes for guests, a weekly harvest of the herbs and vegetables is being shared with the neighbouring community.

A harvest for health – Acorn Wellness Retreat owner Katie Kavanagh is sharing the goodness of the garden with the neighbouring community

Acorn’s owner Katie Kavanagh, who opened the not-for-profit enterprise in 2017, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have people who come here for recovery, rest, retreat and sanctuary, often after treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer.”

She added:

“We also have a surrounding community of friends and neighbours and through sharing the items grown in the garden, we hope to be able to give something back to them.”

The new facility, created from sustainable materials by Ben Green of Springer Land & Property Services,  includes a hazel bower, raised planters and seating  areas.

The newly-opened garden at Acorn Wellness Retreat

To mark the opening, Acorn’s Helen O’Connor, a psychologist and forest bathing therapist, led a mindfulness session after attendees received a posy of freshly-picked herbs grown in the garden.

She asked the retreat’s friends, neighbours and her colleagues, to join with her in enjoying the peace of the new area by listening to the birdsong and attuning themselves to the natural rhythms of the countryside setting.

Ms. Kavanagh pointed out:

“We have planted a seed that will grow and thrive, while providing another means for enabling us to be at one with the natural environment and the healing qualities that this offers.”

Read More:

• Ripon’s Spa Baths to be returned to its former glory
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An 11-year-old boy had to be rescued after falling at Brimham Rocks.

The young boy was coming down from one of the high rocks near the car park when he fell onto a grassy area on his arms.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was summoned to help the boy. The team stretchered him to an ambulance where he was treated for arm injuries.

One of the association’s volunteers, Derek Hammond, said he thought the boy fell “about three or four metres”, putting his arms out to protect himself as he fell.

The volunteer rescue team were at the the National Trust-owned site near Pateley Bridge for 52 minutes.

Just last month, The Stray Ferret wrote about the latest young boy to fall from the rocks. 

Read more:

• Boy, 8, rescued at Brimham Rocks
• Ripon firefighters save pony stuck in mud